Agree with Gadget and nick...other than the very rare call taken using the external speaker, I don't rely on the external speaker(s), at least not for anything where I'd like decent quality. In the house I either AirPlay to an Apple TV or Chromecast or connect to Bluetooth headphones. Bluetooth speakers are very affordable as well and will always sound better than any phone speaker, including those found on the HTC One models.

The Nexus 6 has front-facing speakers and tiny bezels. That's what I would ideally want. That or quad speakers on the side bezels. I use headphones so it's not really a concern, but whenever I'm not using them I find it annoying how sound is going in a completely different direction, even when I have my hand cupped over the speakers.

The S6 speakers, I think, are very serviceable, and honestly, quite good.

I hear notifications fine; I can hear very well when on speaker phone call (usually in the car); and most importantly, it's loud and clear and crisp when using Google Maps Navigation.

Does the job and does the job well. For me, don't need the speakers to do more beyond those needs. I don't expect nor really need super high quality speakers. They just have to be loud and clear-enough.

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